O’Donnell: Kane mum on whether he’ll retire with Blackhawks
AS LONG AS THERE ARE BLACKHAWKS FANS, a mention of Patrick Kane will forever merit a happy and profound gesture of thanks to the hockey gods.
To say he came, he skated and he conquered the United Center is an understatement along a gold-winged convergence toward Michael Jordan Airways.
Few rookies in the history of Chicago sports lived up to the advance hype to the extent he did. By age 26, along with Jonathan Toews, “Kaner” was dead-center on the magical Zamboni that drove three Stanley Cup championships for the franchise.
But parting was such hollow sorrow.
IN FEBRUARY 2023, with a trade-deadline deal that signaled the glory days were indeed faded to blue, Kane was dealt to the New York Rangers. He's since signed three one-year contracts with Detroit, the most recent of which will cover the upcoming season.
Chicago never really had a chance to say goodbye.
That void will be corrected to some degree Friday.
UNDER THE AUSPICES of the premium athlete collective PB&K, Kane and his legacy will be celebrated in Our Town with a variety of events including a Chicago City Council proclamation designating 8/8 for No. 88 as “Patrick Kane Day.”
Kane will also guide an invitational youth hockey clinic at Johnny's Ice House Friday morning. He'll follow with two ticketed events: a midday autograph session at the Chicago Sports Museum (Water Tower Place) and an evening q.-and-a. at the swanky Morgan MFG on the edge of the West Loop.
Kane's father — Patrick “Tiki” Kane — has also been involved in planning. A portion of the proceeds will go to 1616.org, a group that assists young athletes navigate the mental health side of their games.
Pat Boyle will host the nighttime affair. ESPN-AM (1000) has been aboard as a broadcast sponsor.
AMID THE ADVANCE RUSH, a single question was directed to “The Kaner”:
Do you have any plans to return — even for a ceremonial one day — to re-sign with the Blackhawks and retire from the NHL in their sweater?
Through a spokesperson, the future Hall of Famer side-skated the inquiry, citing the fact that he wanted to remain “respectful” of his current home at Little Caesars Arena in midtown Detroit.
CHICAGO FANS WILL READ into his semantics what they wish. The thought is piddling coda.
Patrick Kane is arguably the greatest American-born hockey player ever. His Stanley Cup wizardry on West Madison St. popped all new dreamsicles into a devoted fan base.
A happy and profound Chicago salute is so overdue.
STREET-BEATIN':
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Texas Monthly reports that Arch Manning topped all NIL earners on the 2024-25 NCAA sports calendar with a gross of $6.5M. (The Texas QB started two games.) Duke's Cooper Flagg — now a Dallas Maverick — was No. 2 with close to $4M. …
Jim O'Donnell's Sports and Media column appears each week on Sunday and Wednesday. Reach him at jimodonnelldh@yahoo.com. All communications may be considered for publication.